a cabin fever survival guide

so, the month of february is my least favorite month. mostly because nothing is really happening .. nothing exciting, i mean. the holidays are over, it's freezing (depending on where you live) and there just isn't much to do. with this, those winter blues can creep in and if you're lucky, you can hold on to your well being for dear life and depression won't completely take over ... this is a tough one for me and always has been. 

anyway, let's just say that cabin fever has hit us hard over here. like real hard. i have been trying my damndest to stay on top of it and find things to make me feel better everyday. to find ways to get me through the rest of this month without losing my mind. if you are someone who is also in the thick of cabin fever, i hope these help. 

1. get dressed - this one has been the most important for me. by get dressed i mean, wash your face, brush your teeth and put some actual clothes on. man, this has helped me so so much. 
2. make your bed - i am someone who almost never makes the bed, but on the days that i do ... i don't know, it just feels better. 
3. write letters - something that always helps pass the time is writing a letter. it could be just a small note to a friend or whatever, but i think it is a much healthier way to pass the time than like staring at your phone. haha. 
4. read - i used to read so much more than i do now. social media has definitely interfered with that and it bums. me. out. ... but getting your head wrapped around a good book during a blizzard is magical. it just is. my favorite author is augusten burroughs ... i know how hard it can be to read while you're in the thick of raising kids. so hard... i have been sitting next to them on the sofa and letting them watch a show while i read a chapter or two. 
5. plan ahead- start thinking about an upcoming vacation or a spring project or your garden. read up on it. make some lists. get excited ... a friend gave me this book a few years ago. it is like the gardener's bible. i definitely recommend. 
6. embrace the cold - yea, it's freezing, but get your butt outside. bundle up and take a walk around your house or down the street. take deep breaths. kick snow. crush old leaves with your boots. it feels good. ... i walked around outside today and saw the tops of my hyacinths. it made me smile because spring is coming. IT IS. 
7. join a class- maybe you do not have the luxury of alone time like so many of us don't, but if you do ... join a yoga class. or heck, put your kids in a class. we always do swim lessons with kiddos during the winter because it gives us a reason to get out of the house. 
8. watch television - winter is the perfect time to start a new show. i am not saying watch tv all day, maybe just an episode or two before bed. this is also huge for me ... i look forward to it all day. and having something to look forward to while suffering from cabin fever is everything. 
9. try a new recipe - staying busy in the kitchen is a wonderful way to pass the time. to be honest, i need to slow down on this one because we have been eating cakes like everyday. haha! :) 
10. declutter or organize - clean out a closet or organize your pantry. productive and distracting and you'll feel great afterwards.
11. put flowers everywhere - just do it. flowers look pretty and they add color to your life. instant cheer.  
12. hang out with your kids - so basically raising kids can interfere with 1-11. big time. on most days, i am just doing my best to make sure we all survive and certainly do not have time to organize a closet or read even one page of a book ... but anyway, lately i have been trying to do better at hanging out with my kids instead of just babysitting them. by hanging out i mean, working on a craft together or playing a game or coloring ... something educational, distracting and fun for us to do.

... maybe this post will not apply to you and i really hope it isn't coming off as like bossy or like i know what i am talking about .. because i don't. just trying to encourage myself to be productive during cabin fever which will lead to a positive outlook which will lead to a happier life.

any other cures for cabin fever out there? xo

that last photo shows eggs from my dad's chickens. every time i go over there, i stomp around with them and it makes me happy because it reminds me of my childhood. that is especially comforting during the winter months. it is the really good kind of nostalgia.